Dental hygiene may easily be overlooked, but it's an important part of keeping an aging loved one comfortable and healthy. As we age, adults in general tend to have dental problems that can cause pain or make it difficult to chew, swallow, and speak. Follow these tips when scheduling your loved one's next trip to the dentist.
- For low-cost dental programs, check with university dental schools or the local Area Agency on Aging.
- Tell the dentist all the medications the person is taking before starting dental treatment.
- Try to go to a dentist who is familiar with the person's disease.
- Find out how many visits will be needed each year.
- Ask if the office and dental chair are accessible, if that is needed.
- Ask about low-cost options to the treatment the dentist suggests.
- Ask if X rays are really necessary.
- Find out the cost of dentures, but don't trust prices that seem too good to be true. Cheap dentures may not fit correctly.
- When seeking another opinion, have all medical records and tests sent to the second dentist.
My dentist died and a corporation took over his practice. You guessed it...big bills and they want to replace all my old fillings. After I turned 65 I signed up for dental thru my healthcare provider. I contacted a local dentist and made appointment for cleaning and exam. They took every xray they could possibly take including a panoramic xray. (I think they checked my insurance to see if they would pay for it before they took it) The insurance will only pay for full mouth xrays once in a year and only one panoramic ever. When I finally saw the dentist, was comfortable with him and the nurses. Then, the office manager came in while I was in the chair. He told me that with the copays, my share would be around 12000.00 dollars. (Yes, TWELVE THOUSAND dollars.) That was what I would pay with my co-pays. He was quoting me the highest amount for any procedures. I told him I could not afford to get this and he told me to get a loan. I told him I wanted the basic procedures that my insurance would allow and he refused to even discus it. The procedures he wanted me to pay for was for vineer caps and a replacement for an existing bridge and the most expensive way of going about it. The cheapest co-pay I would be responsible for was 750.00 each tooth. My insurance has a copay of 250.00 for most of the procedures which would be fine with me, after all I am almost 70, not twenty. I am not interest in having the most dazzling smile at this age, only in being able to eat comfortably. As a result, I have not been back to another dentist for the past year because I cannot afford to pay for new xrays and even though I went back to the original office to get the xray's, they charged me 20.00 for a copy of the xrays. This was a paper copy of my xrays, they would not make a disc of the xrays even though I took one with me. Did I mention they were digital xrays. I called another dentist and they said the paper copy was worthless for them to make a diagnosis. They needed to see the original xrays. My year is almost up so am hoping I can find a dentist that will clean my teeth and will do the procedures my insurance will pay for. So if you are wondering why we seniors do not go to the dentist, this is the reason. Dentists do not want to fill a tooth anymore, they want to replace them.
Dear Mike I am sorry to hear about your dental situation. I will check with my sister who is a hygienist to see if she has any ideas. HW
i have tried the comments and am sad to say they didn't really help me. i have COPD and am totally disabled as far as earning a living. i was in prison for reacting wrongly after having my identity stolen. while there i found out they don't repair teeth only pull them. as a resulti had 4 teeth pulled, and my bridges don't fit at all. i have no money left to pay the outrageous prices my teeth repairs would cost. also 1 tooth has fallen out since i have been home almost 2 yearsanother is loose . a bonding has come loose and fell out as well as 2or3 fillings i get prices as high as $15,000 and low as $9,000 i just don't have it with my co-pays for breathing and rapidly approaching my gap. i'm at my wits end as this is depressing along with my Copd very depressing. i do see mental health care givers , but realize this is my lot in life lately. i know i sound like a sad sack case, but that's the way it is. any help or advice would be more than appreciated. connecticut is not a generous state for things like this, but they are hurting also. thanks again mike murphy